This 18th Century Ohio Fort Is Decked Out In Millions Of Christmas Lights Each Year

I am a minimalist in most areas of my life -- my bookshelves are carefully organized and too much "stuff" makes my heart palpitate. Except when it comes to Christmas. Christmas decorations -- lights, inflatables, trees, garland -- I adore Christmas decor and my husband happily obliges me each year by turning our house into a place that would make Clark Griswold swoon. One of my favorite Christmas traditions is bundling up and venturing out to the many amazing drive-thru light displays in Ohio, and I'm always open to suggestions for new light displays in the Buckeye State. Fort St. Clair's Whispering Christmas is a new-to-me AND near-to-me holiday lights display in Ohio that's easily among the most dazzling holiday festivities in Ohio.

Every year, something marvelous happens in Ohio -- a seasonal sea change that transforms the landscape of the Buckeye State...

...and I'm NOT talking about fall foliage in Ohio, either!

This event of pure holiday magic is Whispering Christmas, a delightful holiday lights display in Ohio that's in the most unique and unlikely of places... the historic Fort St. Clair!

The history of Fort St. Clair is the stuff of local legends. Erected in the late 1700s, the 120-foot square palisade fort had a four-sided bastion at each corner. Future U.S. president William Henry Harrison served in the detachment which built the fort. Today, the park includes memorials to other war eras, including a monument to the Civil War, WWII, and the Korean War.

It's also the site of one of the coolest holiday light displays in Ohio. Each year, the worker elves in Eaton, Ohio, get to work stringing up millions of twinkling lights for the wondrous Whispering Christmas event.

Once again, Whispering Christmas will operate as a drive-thru holiday lights display, with a suggested $5 donation/car.

There's something undeniably special and memorable about driving through a kaleidoscope of Christmas lights and displays that's one of the season's simplest joys.

The holidays pass by in a blink of an eye. This Christmas, make a point of slowing down and cozying up with those you love most... and Whispering Christmas is a great place to do just that!

Fort St. Clair Park is located at 135 Camden Road in Eaton. Whispering Christmas is open Dec. 1-31 from 6-9:30 p.m. each day for viewing the spectacular lighting displays. Happy holidays!

Have you been to Fort St. Clair's Whispering Christmas before? This is one holiday lights display in Ohio that definitely belongs on your "Nice" list this season!